Abia State
know as
“God’s Own State”
Population
Approximately 4.3 million
Capital
Umuahia
LGAs, Cities & Towns
Aba, Abiriba, Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano, Isiala-Ngwa, Isuikwuato, Nbawsi, Nneochi, Obioma Ngwa, Ohafia, Osisioma, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa and Umuahia.
Contact Office
Abia State Government Liaison Office,
T. Y. Danjuma Street, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
State House
Government House, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
Abia Assembly bemoans FG's handling of power, others
Written by Anayo Okoli
Umuahia—ABIA State House of Assembly yesterday expressed disappointment with the Federal Government over the Government’s handling of what the House called “certain national, but touchy matters affecting Nigerians, particularly Abians”.
Among the issues, according to the House are “the issue of insecurity across the country, the epileptic power supply and non-payment to Abia State royalties for the 48 oil wells returned to it”.
The House also expressed worry that the promising solution is insight for the nation’s power problem even as it decried what it called “total lack of meaningful Federal projects in the South East geo-political zone”.
The Speaker of the House, Chief Agwu U. Agwu, who made the position of the House known while speaking on the one year of the present Assembly, noted that “lives of many Nigerians are becoming more endangered by the day because of the activities of criminals”.
“ I wish at this point to put on record our disappointment as a House, with the Federal Government over its handling of certain national, but touchy matters affecting Nigerians, particularly Abians.
Source: Vanguard, 12th June 2008.
Traditional rulers arrested over N.45b bullion van robbery
THREE suspects, including two traditional rulers in Abia State have been arrested by the Nigeria Police in connection with an attack on a bullion van from which N450million was stolen.The three suspects are the Deputy Chairman of the Abia State Council of Ndi-Eze, HRM Eze I.K. Nwabiaraije Eneogwe, HRM Eze Onwukwe and one Mr. Echi Stephen.
The Nation learnt that a new generation bank bullion van, which was conveying about N450million, was hijacked at gunpoint in Aba in April.
After exchange of gunshots, the robbery suspects reportedly offloaded the money into two mini-buses and drove to the palace of one of the royal fathers to share the money.
A police source said: “The robbery suspects took advantage of the safety of the palace to share the loot. But following a tip-off, the police beamed their searchlight on one of the palaces where bank foils (wrappers), corresponding with those on the hijacked money, were recovered.
“I think the robbery suspects were overwhelmed by what they made from the loot to the extent that they forgot to sweep the wrappers away,” our police source said.
The source added that based on police investigations, the two royal fathers andStephen were arrested.
Stephen is believed to be a son in-law to the Deputy Chairman of the Abia State Council of Ndi-Eze.
The police is said to be working on a theory that Stephen might be a certified gun dealer. So far, the police had recovered eight guns (seven AK-47 rifles and one sub-machine gun) from Stephen’s house in Abala, Obinma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
The police also recovered some vehicles, including one Sport Utility Vehicle with the national Coat of Arms and without number plate.
"We are still after other suspects because our investigations revealed that a hi-tech syndicate was involved. We suspect Stephen to be the arrowhead, who is working in concert with many suspects.
"One of the suspects escaped when police detectives were being taken to his house," a police chief added,
But police investigations, according to our source, appeared to have been interfered with by partisan politics.
It was alleged that upon the arrest of the suspects by the Criminal Investigations Bureau of the Abia State Command, some chieftains of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) accused stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party of plotting to frame up the two traditional rulers.
The political dimension and the fear of being accused of partisanship had allegedly forced the Abia Police Command to grant bail to the royal fathers.
However, a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, alleging plans to cover up the investigations led to the intervention from the police top echelon. The IGP, was said to have asked the Special Investigations Unit to take up the matter.
"Based on that, the three suspects were brought to Abuja and detained at Asokoro Police Station," our source said.
As at press time, the monarchs had been released on bail following the intervention of their counsel.
Bail was granted following alleged ‘less weighty evidence against the traditional rulers and the fragile health of Eze I.K. Nwabiaraije.’
"This major breakthrough that we have recorded in crime bursting is being politicised. We have been receiving pressure from both the PPA and PDP on issue that borders purely on crime. You know that hijack of bullion vans had been rampant along that axis with many policemen killed.
"We are concerned that a major crime issue is taking a political dimension.
"The IGP has given a firm instruction that we should carry out thorough investigations into the case." One of the officers handling the case stated.
When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Special Investigations Unit, Mr. Ali Amodu, confirmed the arrest of the three suspects.
He, however, said the traditional rulers had been granted bail pending the completion of final investigations.
Amodu said: "The three suspects have been in our custody in the last two to three weeks. So far, there is no sufficient evidence to hold the two traditional rulers but we decided that they should be on bail pending final investigations.
According to him, "the bail became necessary in view of the present administration’s posture on the rule of law. Also, one of the royal fathers was ill and apart from his right to bail, we took his medical condition into cognizance.
"But the key person involved is Echi Stephen and we have refused to grant him bail. This suspect is an in-law to one of the traditional rulers but that is insufficient to hold the royal father responsible for his conduct until investigations proved otherwise," Amodu said.
Asked of how much was snatched from the bullion van, Amodu said: "We are still investigating and we are after some suspects. I won’t talk on that now."
Source: Nation, 8th June 2008.
Abia Assembly passes 9 bills into law
Written by Anayo Okoli
Umuahia—ABIA State House of Assembly said it has passed into law, nine bills in the last one year. Within the same period, the House said it also made 35 resolutions.
However, the speaker of the House, Chief Agwu U. Agwu, who announced this at a leadership forum in Umuahia, did not mention the laws and resolutions, but attributed the success so far made by the House to cordiality existing amongst the members.
Agwu who described the House as “one family”, also commended Governor Theodore Orji for enhancing their job by providing what they need to carry out their duties.
He noted that the achievements so far made by the House were through collective effort, restating that the main function of the House is to make good laws for the state.
Speaking on the recent redeploy-the-police commissioner resolution passed by the House, Agwu said the action yielded good result as the police have increased their patrol and that the rate of kidnapping has reduced.
Source: Vanguard, 6th June 2008.
Police uncover “baby factory” in Abia
11 pregnant girls rescued, 80-year-old proprietress paraded
From MURPHY GANAGANA, Abuja
The police on Thursday announced a major breakthrough in its anti-human and child trafficking operations with the arrest of an octogenarian, Madam Grace Erondu, from whose custody 11 pregnant girls were found last week.
Two other teenage girls, who had delivered babies within the past three weeks at the illegal hostel located within the Osisioma area of Aba, Abia State, were also found by the police.
Curiously, the two teenage girls, identified as Miss Akachi Uche Ijeoma and Joy Akudo, both 19 years old, claimed that the babies they delivered in the illegal hostel owned by Madam Erondu, were taken away from them by unknown persons at night.
Narrating how she found her way into the home, another 19-year-old girl, Miss Mary Ibe, who is heavily pregnant, said she was directed to the octogenarian by someone close to her boyfriend, who, for undisclosed reasons, had wanted her to terminate the pregnancy, a move she vehemently objected to.
Miss Ibe, who hails from Afikpo Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, gave a scary account of how she got trapped in the home until detectives from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit at the Zone 9 police command headquarters, in Umuahia, raided the place last week.
Her words: “When I was directed to the place, they told me if I get there, there are nurses and doctors that will attend to me. Actually, the person who impregnated me said I should go and abort the pregnancy. He gave me money, but I didn’t want to do it. So, when I eventually got there, they told me three girls delivered last year, but I didn’t see the babies. Later, while I was there, three other persons delivered last April, a baby girl and two boys, but I didn’t also see the babies.”
While explaining why she didn’t leave the home, even on discovering the disappearance of babies, Ibe said Madam Erondu claimed she was possessed by an evil spirit, which would take her life if it wasn’t exorcised.
“She told me I was attacked by an evil spirit which comes in the form of lightening, that it will kill me. She also said most of the other girls were possessed. So at night, she will bathe us with Ogogoro (local gin), Stout and Star beer, saying it would cleanse us.”
Also giving an insight into activities in the home, Joy Akudo, 19, said she is yet to come to terms with how the baby she delivered recently was taken away by strange persons. Hear her: “I gave birth to the baby at the home on April 15, this year, and I didn’t know when somebody came to take the baby away. I don’t know who took the baby, and when I asked, they said somebody had taken the baby away. It was the old woman’s daughter who took me to the place, but she was not the one who took my baby away, and you can’t identify the people because the babies are usually taken away at night or very early in the morning.”
However, the grandma at the centre of the storm, Madam Erondu, said the girls are only being clever by half, as they were all brought to her by people who return to collect the babies after they had been delivered.
Erondu, who spoke through an interpreter in Igbo, denied involvement in child trafficking or ritual killings, claiming she was merely paid between N3,000 and N4,000 by those who brought the girls for delivery.
Though she claimed inability to understand and communicate in English, the octogenarian stunned senior police officers and crime reporters at the Louis Edet House Police Force Headquarters in Abuja , as she displayed a high sense of humour, native intelligence and craftiness, while responding to questions.
Asked why she always gave out the babies immediately after birth, while the mothers remained at the home for a long time, Erondu said the mothers are usually left behind for their breast milk to stop flowing before they are allowed to go.
According to her, “once I deliver them, the people who brought them come to collect the babies. Then, I leave the mothers behind so that their breast milk will dry up.”
Erondu, a mother of two, who admitted bathing the girls with local gin and beer, claimed it was meant to cleanse them of evil spirits, saying: “I am a matron and I learnt it in the spiritual way from the church. For the girls, who are possessed, I normally use Ogogoro, Stout and Star beer to wash out their evil spirits.”
Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, while parading the grandma and the 13 girls before newsmen on Thursday in Abuja , said they had confirmed, on interrogation, that they were at the home to deliver their babies and sell them for various sum of money. Investigations, he said, had further revealed that most of the girls, who are students, ran away from their home and schools on getting pregnant without the knowledge of their parents and school authorities.
The trend, he noted, has contributed to the increasing number of cases of missing persons reported to the police.
Okiro gave the names of the girls as Miss Chioma Chime, Jennifer Njoku, Akachi Uche Ijeoma, Ogechi Onwuha, Joy Akudo, Oluma Adindu, and Chinwendu John.
Others are Mary Ibe, Joy Nnodim, Eucharia Uka, Happiness Amaechi, Angela Madu and Mercy Johnson.
Source: Sun, 6th June 2008.
PDP accuses Orji of 16.4bn fraud
Written by Anayo Okoli
UMUAHIA—ABIA State Government officials have been accused of defrauding the state to the tune of N16.4 billion, even as the Government was accused of indulging in frivolous spending.
Meanwhile, the main opposition party in the state, PDP has dismissed Governor Theodore Orji’s achievement in the last one year as “ mere laughable claims”. The opposition accused the Government of feeding the people with “huge lies” in its claim of achievements in the last one year.
The Orji Government was also accused of not being sincere in its financial accountability, leading to what they called the “bleak economic situation of the state”.
Describing Governor Theodore Orji’’s administration as the “third term” of former governor Orji Uzor Kalu, Abia State PDP Chairman, Chief Ndidi Okereke, told journalists in Umuahia, that Governor Orji awarded contracts to his son’s company as well as to his alleged company, JPROSE and ZEROCK, which allegedly belonging to former governor Orji Kalu.
But the Government in a swift reaction has dismissed the allegations as baseless. The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Ralph Egbu denounced the allegations as the ranting of a drowning opposition group.
Egbu said the people of Abia State are happy with the achievements of the Governor, especially his people-oriented projects and programmes.
Abian, Egbu noted are enjoying the governor’s effort to develop the state.
Source: Vanguard, 4th June 2008.
Abia set for showdown with SPDC
Written by Anayo Okoli Sunday
UMUAHIA — ABIA State Government is squaring up for a show down with Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited over alleged neglect of Owaza Community, an oil producing community that has suffered series of oil spillage.
The Government through the state environmental agency (ASEPA) has threatened to drag the company to court if it continues to shy away from its responsibilities at Owaza.
Shell Petroleum Development company has large flow station oil wells in the community.
Trouble began few months back when the community reported to the Abia state Environmental protection Agency (ASEPA) of oil spillage allegedly from some Shell's oil wells in the area. Following the report,ASEPA took a visit to the community to see what actually was on ground.
Satisfied that there was oil spillage in the community which the agency said damaged a lot of cash crops, it wrote to Shell for a meeting.
According to the Managing Director of the Agency, Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe, after series of delay, the company met with the government officials and the two parties were to commence discussion but Shell according to him indulged in a game of blackmail by accusing the community of being behind the spillage.
Ndukwe said that the agency was surprised to get information from Shell, accusing the community of vandalizing its pipelines, which resulted in the spillage. Ndukwe described the company's action as after thought as they had earlier agreed to meet to discuss on the issue of compensation, only for Shell to turn around and raised another issue.
The ASEPA boss noted that Shell's new position irked the youths of Owaza who were said to have wanted to take laws into their hands but for the intervention of the Government. Ndukwe expressed fear that the youths may run out of patience and take laws into their hands.
Source: Vanguard, 2nd June 2008.
Orji bemoans spate of kidnapping in Abia
UMUAHIA—The rising menace of kidnapping in Abia State has been one of the most worrisome to the governor of Abia State, Dr. Theodore Orji, in his one year in office.
Orji, who made this known while delivering his speech at his one year anniversary at the Umuahia township stadium, yesterday, said that though this menace started just only two months ago, it has remained the activity that has threatened the peace and cool atmosphere his government has enjoyed in the state since inception.
However, the governor said that the state government in collaboration with the Nigerian police, have devised working means and strategies that have started putting the kidnappers on the run.
Expressing his disappointment on the development, Governor Orji said that it was unfortunate that even when those who are perpetrating the heinous crime are either living in the state or have their agents around, people still do not find it expedient to divulge valuable information that may lead to their arrests.
He noted that until the people are bold enough to give valuable information on the activities and personalities of these evil doers, all efforts of the government may achieve only minimal results.
Also yesterday, he called for all hands to be on deck if they would realise their goals for a better Abia State, even as he said that he is firmly in control of the political situation in the state, boasting that “there is no shaking at all”.
Governor Orji who made the call at the Democracy Day rally held at Umuahia Township stadium, said that the relationship between the state and the Presidency and the Federal Government “has been very cordial from inception till date”.
According to him, he admires President Umaru Yar’Adua as a person, saying that “his humility and courage are commendable”.
Saying that he emulates the President’s system of leadership, Governor Orji said “despite the heat he is facing from the opposition, he has not shown any inclination to victimise them."
Source: Vanguard, 30th May 2008.
Orji promises better deal for Abia
From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia
AS the people of Abia State trooped to Umuahia Township Stadium to mark the first year in office of Governor Theodore Orji, he has promised to continue to fulfil their desires.
In a 20-page address he read out amidst ovations, Governor Orji remarked that the circumstances which brought him into the governorship seat could only have been designed by God, adding that the same God who brought him this far would not abandon him midway.
He said: "God sent me on this throne as the governor of Abia State. I do not delude myself that everyone is happy with my being there. I, however, wish to plead that I be allowed to do the work that I have been mandated to do as long as it pleases God to leave me here".
"I have been extending invitations to all those who contested this election with me to come and support my government. I am glad that some of them have heeded the call", he added:
Listing his achievements in all sectors, which he said he accomplished with the support of his wife, the Deputy Governor, Chris Akomas, other arms of government in the state and members of his executive council, the governor thanked God that they were achieved despite distractions and obstacles which were set on the path.
On the happenings at the federal level, he said: "I admire President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. His humility and courage are commendable. Despite the heat he is facing from the opposition, he has not shown any inclination to victimisation. To me, this is commendable and I hope I am displaying the same qualities in Abia State".
Orji said Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, who is also a son of the Niger Delta region which Abia State is part of, has effectively and admirably been complementing the President, hence he lauded the synergy between them.
Chairman of the occasion which was attended by past governors and other top officials, Dr. Kalu Idika, said although people should be allowed to be ruled by citizens of their choice as obtains globally, if such chosen rulers can not provide them with the rudiments of better welfare, security, among others, they would by not so doing fail God.
Describing the government of Orji as one that deserves a pat on the back for its remarkable achievements in just one year, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Donatus Okorie, said: "It is a people and development-oriented and focused administration with professionals and technocrats just as new methods, innovations and styles in the pursuit for a better Abia State".
Source: The Guardian, 30th May 2008.
Ive transformed Abia,says governor
By Joseph Jibueze
Abia State Governor Theodore Orji yesterday said he has transformed the state despite what he calls "minor distractions".
Giving account of his first year in office, Orji said he had been able to restore the people’s faith in government by delivering dividends democracy.
He said he was determined to ensure that the state-owned Golden Guinea Breweries started working again by December.
Orji said the company’s N26 billion debt has been sorted out and his administration has partnered with the investor that bought the firm to revive it.
"May 29 will make it one year since we assumed office, and it is good that I give an account of my stewardship to the people who gave me their mandate. The tribunal said I won 82 percent of the people’s vote; that is distinction," said the governor.
He said Umuahia, the state capital, had been transformed to the extent that a first-time visitor would be reluctant to leave.
"I’m assuring you that any day you venture to enter Umuahia, you may not like to leave again. You’ll like to stay permanently with us. If you’re in doubt, you can come and check," he said.
Orji said he had made significant impact within one year in agriculture, transportation, education, housing and others.
"Abia is a peculiar state; peculiar in the sense that there is no other state that will be created that will come before Abia, unless you are going to create another state that will be A-A-Something. So, we’re number one. It is our determination to make sure that we remain number one in everything we do.
"I don’t have any other business in this business called politics except delivering to the people. My joy will be in leaving a legacy that people will remember."
He expressed confidence in the Appeal Court where he is challenging the tribunal ruling that nullified his election.
Said Orji: "We have absolute confidence in the judiciary, that is why we have gone to the Appeal Court, hoping that the truth will manifest itself there.
"I told God, ‘If I did not resign this appointment, and if I’m a member of a secret cult, and I claim otherwise, at the tribunal, let me lose. But if I resigned, but because of technicalities, they said I did not resign... if I’m a member of any secret society as they are claiming, but you know that I am not, let me win at the appeal tribunal. I’m leaving it there and saying that the truth will manifest at the Appeal Court. That has been the only distraction.
"I have been demolishing them one after the other, and I will continue demolishing them until finally the battle is won.
"I have been able to deliver to the people the dividends of democracy."
Source: Nation, 27th May 2008.
Abia poll: Court begins hearing of Orji's appeal today
Written by Anayo Okoli Monday, 26 May 2008
Umuahia—The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt will today begin hearing in the appeal filed before it by Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, challenging the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal that sat in Umuahia which nullified his return by INEC. The Abia tribunal, headed by Abdullahi Yusuf, had in its judgment on February 25, 2008, while deciding the petition brought by the PDP candidate for the April 14, 2007 election, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), nullified the return of Orji as the winner of the Abia State governorship election as declared by INEC. The tribunal went further to declare and return Ugochukwu as the winner of the election.
The tribunal based its decision on the twin reasons of Governor Orji being a member a secret cult based in Okija in Anambra State and non-resignation from his former office before contesting the election into the office of the Governor of Abia State.
The tribunal in arriving at its decision, noted however, that Ugochkwu and his party, PDP, could not prove that Governor Orji and his party, PPA, did not score majority of the lawful votes cast at the election.
The judgment has no doubt, been a subject of serious debate. Both sides have invested so much hiring eminent lawyers and other public commentators to analyse the judgment. Consequently, all manner of opinions have been given about the judgment by knowledgeable and non-knowledgeable analyst.
Not satisfied with the decision of the tribunal, Governor Orji had approached the Appeal Court at the Port Harcourt division, to challenge the judgment. He is contesting that he was not a member of any secret cult either in Okija or elsewhere. The Governor is also saying that he and his deputy, Comrade Chris Akomas, properly resigned their appointments before contesting the election.
Ugochkwu on his on side, though he was declared and returned by the tribunal as the winner of the election, also filed a cross appeal where he is contesting the decision of the tribunal that he did not prove that the Governor did not win majority of the votes cast in the election.
Ugochukwu is contending that he proved his claim by providing ward results for the election. According to him, the Governor and his party did not tender any result but rather relied on the one he and party tendered.
The judgment, whether we like or not, has been a source of worry to the government. Though governance has been going, there could be notices some elements of fear in some circle. There has been series of prayers for success at the Court of Appeal.
Also, in the camp of Ugochukwu, it has been prayer all the way for the Appeal Court to uphold the decision of the lower tribunal. Only the coming days will determine the political future of Abia state.
Source: Vanguard, 26th May 2008.
Abia Assembly set to empower Bakassi boys
Umuahia — The Abia State House of Assembly may give legal backing to the vigilance group, popularly known as Bakassi Boys, if the security situation in the state fails to improve. Dr. Ikechukwu Nwabeke, representing Osisioma Ngwa North constituency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia that empowering the Bakassi Boys fully would help to address the insecurity in the state.
"If the security situation in the state does not improve by the time the House reconvenes from recess on June 3, we will empower the boys to assist,’’ he said.
Nwabeke, Chairman Committee on Petroleum /NDDC, said the House had lost confidence in the ability of the police to curb the crime wave in the state.
"We will not wait for the hoodlums to wipe out the citizens whom we represent, before taking action," he said.
The lawmaker said that the excuse by the police that the hoodlums use sophisticated arms, held no water. Nwabeke reiterated the Assembly’s stand on the need to redeploy the state Commissioner of Police.
"The state needs a new police chief with new ideas; we are not after the commissioner as a person, but his ideas have failed," he said.
He disagreed that the opposition was responsible for the crime wave in the state. Nwabeke called on the government to equip security agencies and urged the public to be more vigilant and report all unusual movements to security operatives.
Source: Vanguard, 26th May 2008.
Abia needs N100m for housing estate
From Gordi Udeajah, Aba
TO complete the Aba Unity Garden Estate located at the Osisioma Ngwa Industrial Estate about N100 million will be needed, the Managing Director of Abia State Property and Housing Development Corporation (ASHPDC), Chief Okezie Ugboajah, has said.
The estate, comprising 500 bungalow on a 58.6 hectares of land and slated for middle level income earners, was designed to decongest Aba.
The estate, which began in 2004, was expected to have had its first phase of 243 houses of three-bedroom and four-bedroom flats completed. However, due to delays, the total money expended on the project is about N550 million, which was the initial total estimate of the entire 500 houses.
Source: The Guardian, 26th May 2008.
Abia spends N234m on transformers
From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia
ABIA State Ministry of Public Utilities and Water Resources of the administration of Governor Theodore Orji has spent N234 million in the provision of electricity transformers to communities in the state.
At a media forum organised for ministries to account for their stewardship during the period, Johnny Ukpabi, the commissioner-in-charge of the ministry, said the installation of the transformers would soon be completed.
Before the inception of the current administration, he said about 54 water schemes were moribund, but the Orji administration released money for their immediate repair. Those already completed are in Afugiri, Olokoro, Mbawsi, Ogwe, Ubakala, Ohafia water schemes, among others.
Also, 44 communities were provided with 120 hand water pumps, while street lighting of Umuahia costs the state government N6.5 million monthly to power the seven generating sets. The one in Aba costs N840,000 monthly, he said.
Ukpabi added that when the 132 KV sub-station being built for Umuahia starts operation, the street lights would be powered by the facility.
The commissioner said the state government might take over the Aba Water Scheme from the contractor if moves made to make firm return to site failed, adding that the Federal Government awarded the contract many years ago but failed to meet its contractual obligation.
Source: The Guardian, 26th May 2008.
Abia to repatriate destitutes to native states
Biola Azeez, Umuahia
Abia State Government will soon commence repatriation of destitutes and mad people loitering about the commercial city of Aba and Umuahia ,the state capital, to their respective native states if the threat of the Commissioner for Sports and Social Welfare, Paul Mba, is anything to go by.
Speaking with journalists in Umuahia during one of the ministerial briefings marking one year anniversary of the PPA administration in the state, the commissioner said the measure is capable of reuniting the destitutes and the mad people with their long lost family members.
The commissioner said the states that will be affected may wish to retaliate if they like, adding that the state government was determined to sustain the achievement recorded in clean and safe environment condition in Aba and Umuahia .
He explained that when such activity was carried out in a neighbouring state in the past, two destitutes that had been lost forgotten were reunited with their families in Olokoro area of Umuahia South local government area of the state.
Source: Tribune, 25th May 2008.
Abia communities hail construction of 10-kilometre link road
From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia
COMMUNITIES in Umunneochi Local Council of Abia State at the weekend commended the construction of a new road that would link the council headquarters at Nkwoagu to the Enugu-Okigwe-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.
The 10-kilometre road has been christened " Century Road " by the people who said they had cried " for a hundred years for it to be built."
The brainchild of the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Council, Uche Oliver Egeonu, who was elected on the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) on January 19, 2008. The road construction has sent residents along the route clapping, dancing and thanking God for using Egeonu, whom they described as 'messiah,' to bring them succour.
Speaking at the site, Egeonu said his administration embarked on the project following his long meditation on how he would solve the problem of the people who had great difficulty reaching the council headquarters from the expressway.
He said: "To get to this level cost me sleepless nights of meditation. We are doing this by direct labour through our Works Department. We have also engaged consultants as supervisors to ensure high standards.
"This Amuda-Achara-Umuelem-Lekwesi Road is vital to our entire local council.
Our schedule is that it would be completed and tarred by December this year so that our people would ply on it during the Christmas and New Year period.
"The council was not deterred by the cost implications of the project.
" We are using what we have available after paying salaries.
"We did not want lack of funds to discourage us. But we expect assistance from the state and federal governments as the road when completed leads to neighbouring Ebonyi State".
According to the Council's Supervisor for Works and Transport, David Oleh, an engineer, specifications for the 14-metre- wide road include two bridges, culverts and standard drainages that run from Eke Isuochi to the Cattle and Better Life Markets on the expressway.
Speaking to The Guardian, Eze Emmanuel Okoli of Ekenyi Lekwesi community, who was accompanied by Eze Dan Okenwa of Amuzi Ibinanta Igbere, described it as the first in the history of the local council constructed to link Umuchieze on the expressway with Isuochi.
He said on completion, the road would bring huge relief to commuters in Abia and Ebonyi State.
The Chairman of the Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Wilson Egbo of Umucha Amuda Isuochi, said: "We have resolved and empowered the council to uproot any tree, farm crops or anything that might be an impediment to the project without paying any compensation.
The road is of paramount importance to us all".
Addressing the crowd that witnessed the flag-off of the road construction, Egeonu, pledged to serve his people selflessly and with dedication.
He said more projects would follow even as he announced that he had cleared all arrears of salaries owed the council workers and pledged to run an open, honest administration.
Source: The Guardian, 21st May 2008.
Abia Gets N21bn from FAC
By Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia
The present administration in Abia state has received N21 billion from the Federal Allocation Committee (FAC), the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Richard Harrison has said. He made the clarification yesterday when he took his turn at the ongoing ministerial press briefings to mark Governor Theodore Orji's one year in office, saying that it was erroneous for anybody to claim that the state had collected any thing above that figure.
The commissioner noted that though the Abia "is not a very rich state and not the poorest either," it has managed its meagre resources prudently over the last twelve months and making investments for the future. According to him, a total of N150 million has been invested for the rainy days "because if you just collect allocation and share, tomorrow people would go hungry. But if you make investments people would smile tomorrow."
Harrison disclosed that the state has recorded an increase in internally generated revenue portfolio from less than N80 million to N140 million monthly since May 29, 2007. He however pointed out that the state still relies 90 percent on federal allocation to meet its needs.
"It could have been more than that but the major problem we have in the state is making people pay tax without coercion," he said, adding that the state government has a monthly wage bill of N2.1 billion and a revenue portfolio falling short of expenditure.
Source: This Day, 17th May 2008
Nwakaota-Oka In Olokoro
OLOKORO community is located in the south east of Umuahia, the capital of Abia State. It is bounded in the North by Ibeku Community; East by Oboro Ikwuano Local Government Area, West by Umuopara Community, and on the South by Umuodochie Community in Ngwa land.
Marriage in Olokoro entails quite a number of activities. It is a bond, not only between the spouses, but also between the kinsmen of the spouses concerned.
Before marriage is contracted, two basic elements are very necessary: approval and involvement of the families of the spouses; and the payment of the bride wealth.
These vital ingredients are found in traditional marriage of the Olokoro people known as Nwakaota- Oka. When interpreted literally, Nwaka- Oka means "breaking through the fence." In other words, the ceremony marks the bride's loss of virginity.
Ajuju
In Olokoro, traditional marriage is not always carried out in hurry. It is often done in stages. The first stage is called Ajuju. It means enquiry, thus once a man is of a marriageable age, his parents would broach on the issue, or the man could be the one to raise the issue with his parents. The process of enquiry (or ajuju) is then commenced once a would be bride is found, the man's parents will source for a reliable informant in the bride's homestead who investigates and furnishes them with information about the bride's background. If the response is positive, the parents of the bride groom will take the first step of visiting the would be bride's parents to declare their intention. They go with a bottle of whisky and a jar of palm wine for the lady's father, and a bottle of wine for the mother. This visit is called "Ntapo-Onu" that is opening of the mouth.
The parents of the bride in turn source information about the background of the would be bridegroom, to determine if he is suitable for their daughter.
If the last accepted the proposal of the intending husband, her father informs his Umunna (Relations) and this is later communicated to his intending in-laws. A day is then fixed for the groom's people to meet with the Umunna of the would be bride.
Ihu-Aku
When interpreted, Ihu-Aku means wealth pricing/bargaining. When every necessary requirement by the Umunna of the bride has been met by the intending husband and his people, the process of Ihu-Aku, which is the next stage is commenced. This stage is characterised by the bargaining of the bride price/wealth.
Before the negotiations by the two families, the bride is asked by her Umunna if they should go ahead to accept the drinks from her intending in-laws. Once she answers in the affirmative she will later be asked to show them who her would be husband is. At this juncture, she kneels before the father who hands over a cup of palm wine to her. With the cup of palm wine in hand, she searches through the guests for her husband. There is usually a shout of joy when the bride gets to the groom, kneels before him, giving him the cup of wine, and the man drinks from the cup. The two of them later come out dancing to the melodious rhythm from the local musician.
The negotiation of bride price/wealth are usually done separately by the men and the women. The entitlement of the Nna-nwa (bride's father) and that of the Umunna are negotiated by the men, while that of the Nne-nwa (bride's mother) and Nde-di are done by the women.
Ibi Ugba (Slicing the Oil Bean)
On this day, the women from the bride's place will gather in the bride's house to cook, slice and preserve the Ugba, to make it ready for consumption on the Nwakaota-oka day. The gathering of the women is usually convened with the provision of 12 tubers of yam, one jar of palm wine and money for condiments.
The women on this day also agree on what quantity of garri, egusi, firewood, fufu and money to donate in support of one of their own whose daughter is getting married. Preparations for the soup and food to be prepared for the final marriage ceremony is also made.
Nwakaota-Oka
When a date has been fixed for the Nwakaota-oka, invitations are made to relations of the bride and the groom's people. The Nwakaota-oka is the final marriage ceremony. It is usually done in the night. The date of the marriage is usually on "Nkwota" (i.e. one of the eight market days of the week in the Igbo calendar) day. On the said day, a delegation of men and women (usually selected) from the groom family leave for bride's home. Usually selected among the delegation is the most senior woman in the groom's family.
She is the one to hand over the material bought for the bride's mother. The main item here is the "Nkpuru Oku-nri" - wrapper for the bride's mother, blouse material, and some money. On arrival, the bride family serves the team with kola-nuts, oil been salad (ugba), meat, palm wine and food
During the ceremony, a middle-man - Onye-mbawu - (go between) is usually appointed by the two families. The go-between for the groom is always someone whose maternal home is the groom's place but from the same place with the bride. The bride's own is vice versa. In all negotiations that take place on the said date, the go-between are the spokes persons. When all negotiations have been concluded, it is left for the bride to be handed over to the groom. The father of the bride extols the good qualities of the daughter and admonishes the groom to take care of her. He should also report any perceived problem from their daughter to them.
Ikuji (carrying yam) is another major feature of the Nwakaota- oka. The most elderly woman from the groom's family carries a tuber of yam and places it on the bride's palm and then makes a jubilant shout of Owo-wo (congratulations). This simply symbolizes the fertility potential of the new bride.
The father of groom, this time around, does not accompany the son to the in-laws' place. Instead, he stays back to receive the bride on her arrival at his place. At the marriage venue (the bride's home) the local musician (Abigbo group), give music which the guests dance to and make merry. The ceremony lasts all through the night and when it is dawn, the new bride is taking to the houses of the relations of her husband. These people in turn give her gifts of money or materials.
The "Umu-ama" (age-grade) who during the Nwakaota-oka were responsible for preparing the Fufu and fetching of firewood and water, also accompany the bride on this tour. They are responsible for carrying the dowry of stool, box, plates, pots, etc.
Nwokata-ota has witnessed a lot of modifications resulting from modernisation. Some of the features of this form of traditional marriage have been stopped because of religious belief of the people, and some, because of their academic and social status, have introduced new idea to add "glamour" and "prestige" to their celebration.
- Ekwueme discussed this topic with the National Museum Study Group, Port Harcourt, recently
Boarding schools in Abia
From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia
The Abia State government is planning to re-introduce the boarding school system .
The move, it was learnt, is to instil moral values and also improve standards in educational sector.
The scheme will start with six models schools. Two schools will be sited in each of the three senatorial zones. Each of the two schools, it was gathered, will be one for male and the other for female.
The Commissioner for Education, Maxwell Adindu, told reporters in Umuahia that it was aimed at checking examination fraud and unethical conduct.
Adindu said:" Governor Theodore Orji is worried about the massive decay in the educational sector.
"Apart from the ongoing reconstruction of school buildings, the government has also decided to bring back the boarding facility that will allow the school system to pass through our children and not only them passing through the school".
He also said from next year, the government will be paying the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for all their students who sit for the examinations in the state while those who sit for it outside the state at special centers will be blacklisted.
The commissioner who was worried about the high rate of special examinations centers which has kept the classrooms empty said any student who sits for WAEC examination outside the state starting from next year will never gain employment in the state civil service.
The Nation recalls that about four years ago, about forty students in a bus from the state who went for WAEC examinations at a special center outside the state lost their lives on their way back in road accident.
He therefore said any school found to be aiding and abating examination malpractices in will be closed down, while their teachers will be punished as well as handed over to the police for the necessary legal actions.
Adindu said government is partnering with individuals and corporate bodies to give 66 schools micro science kits equipment worth N100 million. He said the equipment do not require laboratory but tables to operate.
He maintained that about 450 private schools have been closed because they could not meet the required educational standard set by his ministry adding that they will remain closed till they satisfy the requirements.The commissioner said the special school for the blind at Afara in Umuahia has been remodeled while the school of the deaf and dumb at Oboro in Ikwuano L.G.A. is not left out as all contractors involved have moved to site.
He said the Educational Trust Fund(ETF) has also helped the state’s educational sector as essential text books worth several millions of naira have been procured and distributed to all the schools in the state.
Source: Nation, 16th May 2008.
Abia pays WAEC fees for indigenes
From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia
TO implement its nine-point plan on education, Abia Governor Theodore Orji said the state government had paid the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for all candidates of the state origin and granted bursary awards of N10,000 each to 1,000 students in tertiary schools.
He said it had procured and distributed to 66 science schools micro-science kits worth N100 million even as it, within 10 months in office, rehabilitated 45 per cent of the schools in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Max Ndukwe Adindu, disclosed this to journalists at a press conference in Umuahia on Tuesday. He listed some of Governor Orji's education plans as provision of qualitative free tuition primary and secondary education, rehabilitation/construction of old/new primary, secondary and tertiary schools, training and re-training of teachers.
Others are provision of Information Communication Technology (ICT), ensuring that the state-owned university, polytechnic and college of education (technical) attained status of centre of excellence, among others.
According to the commissioner, a new deaf and dumb school had been approved along with six new model boarding schools - two in each of the three senatorial zones in the state.
On discipline in the state education sector, he said that punishments still awaited the heads of schools, students and pupils who flouted the rules.
He added that in the case of students that go outside the state to sit for WAEC examinations, they would not only be blacklisted but also denied slots in the state tertiary schools and employment.
Similarly, he added that private schools in the state, which were closed down or would be closed for not meeting the standards set by government, would remain closed until they comply with same no matter how long it took them to do so.
He also warned school authorities in the state against imposing illegal fees on their pupils/students.
Meanwhile, about 850 indigent women in Abia State have been empowered economically within the 11 month-old Orji's administration, according to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chinedu Brown.
Brown, who spoke with journalists in Umuahia on Tuesday, said that many others, apart from the 850, got various soft loans including the N9 million provided jointly by the Federal and the State Governments.
The commissioner also said that the state skills' acquisition centre, which she described as bubbling, had trained over 2,000 people in hair-dressing, bee-keeping, tailoring, among others.
Brown added that in collaboration with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Umuahia, her ministry trained many rural women in the 17 councils in the state on cassava value adding, among others.
Source: The Guardian, 15th May 2008.
Orji tasks corps members on community development
From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia
ABIA State governor, Theodore Orji, has challenged corps members serving in the state to strive, while undertaking their primary assignments, to leave their host communities better than they met them after their service year. He said they would do this if they became creative and persevering.
The governor spoke yesterday at Umunna in Bende Council at the closing ceremony of the NYSC Batch A 2008 Stream 2 Orientation Course in the state.
He charged them to embark on projects that would improve on the lives of their host communities.
He said: "Instead of complaining about inadequacies of the infrastructure facilities, I challenge you to come up with realistic proposals on how to improve on them and make them more functional. You should purge yourself of your misconceived notions and open your mind with which you will explore and discover new and realistic ideas and accepting your postings without question".
Orji implored the corps members' employers to accept them, describing them as young, energetic youths full of ideas. He directed them to "do everything possible to assist them as if they are your permanent members of staff."
"On no account should any employer discriminate against corps members or reject those posted to them. Instead, corps members' employers should encourage and provide them with the needed induction course they require to fit into your organisations," he added.
Describing the corps members as strong participants of the well designed 21-day orientation course, the Chairman of the state National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) governing Board/Permanent Secretary in the state Public Service, Chief Chima Mba Ubaka, admonished them to put into practice all what they have acquired during the induction exercise.
He appealed to their designated employers to receive them with open arms and integrate them into their system.
The NYSC state Coordinator, Mrs. Mary Dan-Abia , congratulated them for successfully passing through the orientation and wished them similar success in their primary assignments in the state.
Source: The Guardian, 13th May 2008.
Cult or shrine, Gov. Orji link with Okija, irreconcilable-Obike
Written by Akoma Chinweoke
Very soon, the Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will hear the appeal by Governor Theophilus Ahamefule Orji of Abia State, challenging the verdict of the State Elections Petition Tribunal, which faulted his emergence as governor, even when the tribunal upheld his success at the polls of April 14. 2007.
The Appeal Court, which will have the final say on the petition by PDP governorship candidate, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, will dissect the two major grounds for nullifying the governor’s election: his membership of a secret cult and his non-resignation from office as required by the Electoral Act.
In this interview, deputy national publicity secretary and national image maker of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Mr. Chinwengozi Obike, a Lagos-based legal practitioner, takes a look at the verdict at Umuahia and says secret cult or shrine, the Okija link of the governor, damages his credibility as leader of Abia state. Excerpts:
Well, as far as I am concerned, an issue that is subjudice, any lawyer that is worth his salt does not give an opinion. You may have an opinion but you keep it to yourself, until the Court of Appeal adjudicates on the issues involved. So, this matter is before the courts, and we should allow the court to give its verdict. Until then, I have no opinion on the matter.
A cult, as I understand it, is a group of zealous devotees who for whatever advantage, come together and interact among themselves. Simply put, a group of zealous devotees. A shrine has nothing to do with grouping. A shrine is inanimate, it’s a place. It could be a tomb. Like the shrine of the Virgin Mary - the shroud. Like the shrine at Arochukwu. There are many shrines scattered all over the nation. It has nothing to do with cultism. Cultism is a separate thing. You can actually have cultism within the shrine. The shrine is a place while a cult is a grouping of zealous devotees.
So, what is the quarrel? Is it that the man belongs to a cult or that he worships at a shrine. Commentators have said that worshippers at a shrine belong to traditional religion and have constitutional backing. How do we place the governor?
The governor is expected to be a role model, and T.A. Orji professes to be a Christian. So, his character calls into question if he also worships in a shrine. We need to understand where he belongs. The other day, he gave donation at the Methodist Church, and he identifies fully with Christianity. So, this double character play is so confusing and I think it calls into question the reputation and the character of the man involved. It means he cannot be relied upon.
Some senior lawyers have said the man should be, even if he worships at Okija Shrine. What do we lose if he worships in the shrines of Okija, for instance?
Nobody is saying that the man should not belong anywhere. I am only saying that the man is my governor. Once you become a governor, even the type of food you eat, and the quantity of drinks you take, and your lifestyle becomes a thing of public interest. So, if it is true that my governor was in chains and in pants, I think every decent man, every civilised person, should frown at it.
It is his right to belong to a cult, it is his right to be sworn-in on oath, be in any gown, but after all that, we also have a right to say that such a man should not be our governor. And from the religious point of view, those of us who are Christians, it is a curse on the land, when you mix up certain issues with a god. And a man who says that he is the leader of “God’s Own State”, should not be seen in any shrine or be part of any secret cult.
Those who inserted Section 182(1)(h) in the Constitution banning secret cultists from elective office were mindful of the headless corpses we often find in our streets, dead bodies with breasts or private parts missing. These ritual killings often remind us of our primitive past that had kept us down for ages, and leaders of modern Nigerian must be kept away from these diabolical practices.
Can we define a secret cult as opposed to a shrine?
A secret cult is that cult where the devotees or members share information only among themselves. They take oath, and they tell initiates, ‘don’t tell your mother, don’t tell your father, don’t tell your friend, don’t tell your relations what goes on within the cult’. Whereas in a shrine, you can come and worship, give a goat and go home. There is nothing like oath taking. Nobody will tell you that if you take the oath and if you divulge information, that you will die. But a cult is clearly defined.
And what makes it a secret thing is that information flow is strictly among members. Those who are not members are not allowed to share the information. And it is in this group that all those who were mentioned - T.A Orji, Orji Kalu, the commissioners, local government chairmen, all who went there, that is the group they belong. It is a brotherhood of its own. And for the tribunal to have accepted and ruled on it is a clear indication that sufficient evidence was adduced to that effect. Don’t forget that members of the tribunal are Nigerians, who know the difference between a shrine and a cult group.
There is absolutely nothing within the constitution of our nation against a shrine. You can go there and give a cow, or a fowl and do your business. That is the distinction which those lawyers who are reacting do not seem to understand. Because, a shrine is a place of worship, it is a holy place, for those idol worshipers who consider it holy, standing before a shrine, you can be asked to remove your shoe, but nobody will put you in chains or undress you to the pants. There is nowhere that is done.
But a cult, like I said earlier, is a group of zealous devotees. And you actually will suffer a lot of set back or even die, if you divulge the information. Let me even mention the place I come from, Olokoro, in Umauhia. There, we have what you call okonko. Okonko is a cult. The information flow is only for members, they teach you their secret upon initiation. So, if you are caught anywhere where they are having their activity, once you show them the secret sign, you are a member, you are free.
And these are secret cults. I am not a member. So I cannot attend when they are doing their thing in the night. If I see them I run away. But it does not mean that we don’t have shrines in Olokoro, we have shrines there. But those who attend those shrines and do those things are not necessarily members of okonko. Even women worship in the shrine, the okonko society is strictly for men only, men who are initiates. That is the difference. That my governor will visit the shrine in the night and go to church on Sundays, no.
The second ground is that the governor never resigned before the elections. But having served as INEC official, he should understand the rules guiding elections?
The chief undoing of T.A. Orji was his failure to go in person to testify at the tribunal, because most of the allegations are not something you resolve by proxy or by someone else giving evidence in your place. There are things that are personal issues, you have to come before the tribunal and testify in person to say, ‘I resigned, I did not resign’, and explain any grey areas or any areas of conflict before the tribunal.
He never did all that, and he was in Umuahia. Some are even saying it was a political appointment. The aim of asking public officers to resign is to avoid undue interest and to avoid partiality being displayed. And you being the chief of staff of a state, running for an election, you wield influence even among the civil servants, even among the police, even among other citizens. We are saying you have to be neutral if you are going for such an election. And that is why the constitution made the provision.
The former governor, Orji Uzor Kalu says the tribunal should have invited him to testify on whether or not his former chief of staff actually resigned?
Well, if you allege, you prove. At least they proved that he did not resign at least on the face of it. The onus now lies on the other party to bring a counter evidence to say that the man really did resign and that his resignation accepted by the chief executive of the state. It is not for the petitioner to go to look for Orji Uzor Kalu to show whether the man resigned or not. He did not say that he didn’t take his salary for the month. He took his salary for the month. And these are matters of record.
It is not something someone can allege anyhow, they are matters of record. And for the tribunal to take it seriously, it means that there were actual testimonies to show that the man did not resign. He was using his official cars. These are circumstantial evidence to show that the man did not resign. He was still using his official cars. Are they saying that anyone who had resigned could continuously be using the properties of the state?
But the man was incarcerated at Kirikiri Prison during the period?
He was in Kirikiri Prison during the period.
So where would he be driving official cars, in prison?
Because his family was using the official cars. His family were still living in official quarters, and he took his salary as at April, 2007.
People say even the PDP candidate, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu has not shown commitment to Abia State. They refer to when he was NDDC chairman, that he had nothing to show for it? Are you saying the devil you know is better than the angel you dont?
Well, then his mandate was not only for Abia State. He had shown his presence in Abis State, especially in Ukwa area, where the oil comes from. Even in Umuahia, so many roads were constructed by NDDC and so many projects went on But his term of reference was not Abia State only, but the whole of Niger Delta.
So, some aspects of the development came to Abia State. Onyema Ugochukwu performed creditably within the limits of his ability. He was able to perform, I can guarantee you that. There are a list of projects that can be pointed out, which were executed during his tenure as the chairman of NDDC.
Source: Vanguard, 10th May 2008.
Aba: A City In Perpetual Motion
By Andrew Iro Okungbowa
ABA is about the most popular city in Abia State, a state, which has styled itself as 'God's Own State. For a first time visitor to this commercial hub of the state and the eastern part of the country, the first impression one gets is the many faces of the city.
This is a result of the somewhat transitional nature of the city. One thing that seems to define the life of the people is the perpetual motion or flow of activities.
Everyone, from bus conductors to the touts seems to be in a hurry. This is almost a re-play of Lagos - the only difference being the energy that the people put into their activities is higher.
One thing that easily comes to fore as one inches into the bowels of the city is the general disorder and dislocation as well as the apparent disconnect between the environment and the people. Busy and hectic as it appears, the noisy and filthy nature is not something to behold.
It is this element in addition to the pulsating nature of activities in the city that make Aba a phenomenon and a study in contradiction. For many people, without any of these elements, Aba would be listless and boring city to behold.
History: Aba has a rich and enduring history as an important settlement. Originally habited by the Ngwa people, it once served as an administrative base during the colonial era and a military post for the British.
Its role in the emancipation of the people as a political hotbed in the east is also well documented. In 1929, the Women Riot or revolt against the colonial taxation policy, which required the women to pay tax took place in the city with the late Margaret Ekpo as one of its lead characters. Briefly, it served as the capital city of the defunct Biafra Republic. This was in 1967.
Landscape: Aba's landscape is a mix of low plains and undulating valleys stretching into hilly ranges. While the central area is of low plains, the Ogbor hill section of the town is a stretch of undulating valleys.
One also notices that this section of the town, which once served as home to the colonial masters and establishments, has a calm and serene appeal more than anywhere else. Another basic element of the city is the fact that most of the houses are storey buildings. However, majority of the buildings lack the architectural appeal expected of them while maintenance is apparently absent.
The main appeal of the city remains its commercial nature even though businesses here are unstructured. However, it is the moving force of the city, which comes alive almost for 24 hours of the day until security became an issue, making night life in the city a bore if non-existence except for the occasional splashes.
Commerce: Although every building in sight plays host to one form of commerce and the other but the focal point of business is the Ariaria Market. It occupies a large expanse of land in the city. It is said that all sorts of products and goods are both on sale and manufactured at this market.
It is this larger than life image of the market that makes people often to refer to Aba as 'The Japan of Africa,' as the market, which enjoys large patronage from across the country and outside of the country. However, the quality of what the merchants produce is suspect.
Another factor that has also added to the busy nature of the city is the fact that it is a major transit point to most parts of the country, a situation, which is enhanced by the road network. From Aba, a traveller is sure to get a direct vehicle or a connecting vehicle to anywhere in the eastern part of the country, south and even the north.
Sport tourism: One element that has helped to play up the city in the last one decade is its devotion to sport tourism. Thanks to the former Governor of the state, Orji Uzor Kalu, who dedicated enough human and capital resources towards building Enyimba International Football Club of Aba, known as the 'Peoples Elephant' into a competitive team and Africa champion.
Twice winners of the Confederation of African Championship League trophies, the team has succeeded in re-awakening peoples' interest in football as it enjoys great following. Enyimba Stadium in Aba had its status elevated and it has become a melting point for the people. Every match day in the city is a celebration day endearing quick businesses for the people, especially in the hospitality sector.
Historical Monuments: Aba is home to many historical monuments with the National Museum of Colonial History claiming the top spot. Located in the central area of Aba, it was established in 1984. It has on display materials and relics depicting Nigeria's traditional setting beginning from its origin to the colonial era.
Also among its earliest symbolism are the Saint Michael's Cathedral Anglican Church founded in the 1920s and the Saint James Anglican Church, which is the oldest church in the city. There is also the Hospital Road Mosque, which is the largest in the city with a resident Chief Imam. In terms of higher institutions, there are the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Abia State Polytechnic and School of Health Technology, which is among the oldest of them.
Source: The Guardian, 10th May 2008.
God's Own State Pleasure Spots
By Andrew Iro Okungbowa
National War Museum: It is one of the two museums in the state. The other being the Museum of Colonial History, which is located in Aba. A visit to the National War Museum is like an excursion into the military adventure of the country as it showcases the different stages of the military history and weaponry of the country.
The museum, which occupies a massive landscape, has three distinct sections. There is the section devoted to the Nigerian civil war era or what is generally referred to as the Biafran war.
The section has on display array of weapons used during the war, they are mostly creations of the Biafran might. Some of the most astounding exhibits include the 'Ogbunigwe,' which then had a potent myth around it, as it was regarded as having the power to kill people en-mass.
There is the section devoted to the display of Nigerian military history. Beginning with the history of the West African Frontier Army, which later transformed to the Nigeria Army, A portrait and profile of the men that gave birth to the country's military powerhouse are on showcase too.
The third section of the museum houses the traditional warfare armoury. This section makes the entire exhibits a good mix as one is taken through some of the military exploits and weaponry in use during the traditional era.
Besides, the expansive complex, which was commissioned in 1985 as war museum also houses the Ojukwu Bunker, which then housed the popular Voice of Biafra Radio. The bunker at a point also served as the Biafran State House when Umuahia was the capital of the defunct Biafra Republic.
Apart from the historicity and physical exhibits on showcase, the complex has a captivating natural ambience to it. This of course, is a result of its vantage location in Ebite Amafor, which is a rural community in Isingwu Autonomous community in Umuahia North council area with a pristine and serene outlook.
The war ship at one end of the complex provides relaxation point for many. There is also a restaurant and bar outlet within the ship for people to savour some enticing local delicacies and drinks.
Slave relics: Abia State is one of the few states in the country with amazing relics and monuments of the slave trade era. It is on record that it served as one of the slave markets and port because of the river that runs through its landscape.
Uzoakoli slave market is the most popular of the lot. A portion of this market and other relics of the era have been preserved for the pleasure of tourist and those seeking a reconnect to their ancestral home. Uzoakoli is some minutes drive from Umuahia, the state capital.
For a rich dose of history, the place to visit is Arochukwu town believed to be the ancestral home of the Ibini Ukpabi or the Aro Long Juju, a very portent shrine then associated with amazing and terrifying myth.
Arochukwu cave is another notable slave trade route. It has different penetrating outlets, which were believed to have served as a store houses where most of the slaves were kept and later taken through the river and then ferried out. Slaves taken through the cave were believed never to return alive. Hence, the place was called either the 'destiny gate' or 'gate of no return.'
A monumental gate bearing the inscription, 'Gate of no return,' has been erected at this point of the town to point people to the spot. Outside of these, one also finds in the town a traditional museum, which houses some of the artifacts and relics of the era.
Although most of these sites have been left to rot yet people still visit and feast on what is left. A profound move was made by the state government in 2000 during the celebration of Ugwuabia to draw world attention to the town. The government then promised to develop the town and turned it into a slave route town. However, nothing has been done ever since the pronouncement.
Even the Ugwuabia festival that brought the town to the forefront as well as the cultural and tourism market of the state was abandoned after its first outing. This is one festival that the present government needs to take a second look at and bring back to live because of its huge potential and following.
Arochukwu is about two and half hours drive from Umuahia.
Achichi Uduma Ezema in Ohafia end of the state is another location to visit for heritage tourism as it has on display good deposit of natural sites, art and craft works.
Azumini Blue River: The state also boasts of some level of sand, sun and sea pleasure for leisure seekers. Azumini Blue River in Ukwa area of the state is one of the best locations to sample a number of water leisure activities ranging from boating, fishing, and sun bathing to swimming.
Noted to possess a good measure of sandy beach, perhaps the most appealing feature of the river is the clear and blue colour water. However, the sad aspect of this naturally inviting site is the absence of leisure related facilities that would otherwise had made the place a most sought after location by people.
Lake Usimokoto in Abiriba is also another veritable site in the state to visit to harvest some water leisure activities. Cloth weaving: One of the common heritages of Nigerian traditional community is the cloth weaving tradition. In Abia state this tradition is still very much cherished particularly by the Akwete people of Ukwa East, who are reputed for their artistry and prowess in cloth weaving tradition.
For the people, it has gone beyond mere tradition to an art form as a huge portion of the population especially the women take happily to the trade.
They employ a specialised handloom in the weaving of the materials into different intricate designs. The materials are usually sought after, especially the white clothing material, which is celebrated and mostly used during special occasion by the people.
Festivals: The state possesses a rich repertoire of cultural festivals, which employ a lot of artistry, music and dances of colourful and captivating magnitude. Some of the festivals include, Ikeji festival, which is a celebration of the new yam. Item and Bende are the two towns to visit in August for the festival; Mmanwu, artful display of masquerades is celebrated in December by the people of Umuahia and their next door neighbour, the Ngwas while for a dose of the artistic and sometimes dreadful war dance festival, the places to visit are Ohafia, Abiriba and Igberre in the month of December.
Historical Institutions: Apart from the two museums, there are some historical monuments, especially educational institutions. In this class are two outstanding institutions - Government College, Umuahia and Methodist High School, Uzoakoli.
Government College, Umuahia, founded in 1929 by the colonial government is about the oldest institution in eastern Nigeria. The school, which has survived to date is said to have produced some of the notable personalities from that part of the country. Chinua Achebe, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, Christopher Okigbo, Elechi Amadi, Gabriel Okara and Ben Enwonwu are all products of the college.
Abiriba town: Of all the towns and settlements in the state, one of the most outstanding towns to visit is Abiriba. What recommends the town is not its industrial prowess or conquering might in other areas of endeavour. What easily attracts a visitor to the town is the outlook and architectural appeal.
Nearly all the homes in sight are storey buildings. However, the most exciting aspect is the fact of their different architectural make-up. For a rural community of its nature, a first time visitor is sure to be taken aback by the opulence and competitive and some time eye popping architectural designs of most of the buildings.
They are a reflection of the attempt by the people to transform their rustic and pristine enclave into a modern and sophisticated community. It is no wonder then that Abiriba is traditionally referred to by the people as 'little London.'
Nightlife: Aside traditional entertainment and moonlighting, nightlife in most of the major towns and cities is not too robust due largely to the lack of tourist facilities. However, one can still savour a measure of leisure and entertainment in some of the spots, especially during weekends when most of the spots come alive.
The best spots really to catch nightlife fun remains the hotels where one is sure of relative peace and security. In Umuahia, Hotel Royal Damgrete and Empire Hotel top the list while in Aba, Binex, Hotel Terminus, Abia Hotels and City Global Hotel are some of the action spots.
Source: The Guardian, 10th May 2008.
NDLEA arrests 85 over drugs in Abia
From Gordi Udeajah, Aba
THE Abia State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 85 persons suspected to be in possession of narcotic.
The seized drugs, according to the state NDLEA Commander, Mr. Justice Arinze, included cocaine, heroine and cannabis.
One of the arrested suspects, who was paraded before the reporters was a 20-year-old dwarf, who was caught with 750 grammes of Indian hemp.
The state commander said that the development showed that the "statistics of arrest and seizure indicate an alarming increase in the consumption and distribution of narcotic drugs in Abia State with cocaine topping the list as the drug of choice."
According to him, while empirical evidence shows that the trafficking trend has shifted to the rural villages with narcotics being imported from all parts of the country, his command is facing the problem of working in an environment that is highly volatile.
He added: "It is sad that the villagers regard our operatives as the villains instead of the merchants of deaths that destroy their youths. We encounter stiff resistance and mob attacks in nearly all the villages we operate. This is a negative pointer to the diminished power of the traditional rulers in governing their communities."
He added that the key suspects in the ignoble trade were the physically disadvantaged, dwarfs and teenagers.
Source: The Guardian, 8th May 2008.
Percentage of Igbos in:
Abia State 95%
Anambra State 90%
Delta State 55%
Ebonyi State 92%
Enugu State 95%
Imo State 96%
Rivers State 65%
Percentage of Igbos in Other Regions:
Abuja 35%
Jos 15%
Kaduna 19%
Kano 19%
Lagos 39%
Sokoto 14%
